?In 1996 he took a huge risk on an inexperienced, young, local radio talk show host in Atlanta,? Hannity wrote on Twitter. ?He saw something in me and many others he hired that we never saw in ourselves, and he forever changed the trajectory of thousands of [people?s] lives.?

Rupert Murdoch, executive chairman of Fox News and parent company 21st Century Fox, called Ailes a ?brilliant broadcaster? who ?played a huge role in shaping America?s media over the last thirty years.?

?Roger was a great patriot who never ceased fighting for his beliefs,? Murdoch said in a statement.

Others called Ailes a ?genius? and heralded his achievements at Fox News, which he helped start in 1996 and turned into the top cable news network.

RIP #RogerAiles one of the most impt broadcasters in history-The genius who created #FoxNews -a good friend, who loved his family & country

Matt Drudge, founder of influential conservative media site the Drudge Report, broke the news of Ailes? death on Twitter. Then he shared his respects and recounted recently spending a ?magical day? with the newsman.